The Smarthome movement is increasingly becoming popular and it’s no longer a thing for geeks on remote outposts of the internet. Smart bulbs are just one part of what makes a smart home ‘smart.’ With your existing lights, you might not see a need to change. Why fix what’s not broken, right? But soon, you’ll get bored of the mundane task of manually switching on and off your light or lights.
With wirelessly-controlled smart lights, the future is indeed bright. Xiaomi’s Yeelights also known as Mi LED Smart Bulb is a safe landing ground for Smart bulb newbies who wish to test the waters without committing much. That’s because a Central Hub/Gateway/Bridge is not required.
I have been playing with Xiaomi’s Yeelight bulb or Mi LED Smart bulb for a while now. Yeelight is a sub-brand of Xiaomi and it’s mostly popular in Asia, China, and India. The Mi Smart Bulb brand is exactly the same product, but targeted towards the European and generally global market. So, don’t be confused by these seemingly different products.
Users from the U.S will be more familiar with the incredibly popular Philips Hue Smart Bulb , LIFX Smart Bulbs , or TP-Link’s Kasa Smart LED bulbs . They are all very great recommendations for anyone willing to fully invest in a smart bulb home system. Xiaomi’s Yeelight or Mi Bulb are equally capable and support Google Assistant, and more recently Apple’s Homekit home automation platforms.
Yeelight Smart Bulb Review
What We Liked
- No hub/gateway is required.
- Vast number of color options.
- Schedules.
- Integrates with several platforms including Google Assistant as well as Clova.
- Affordable price point.
What We Didn’t Like
- No Siri or Apple HomeKit support.
- No Bluetooth support.
- Prone to interference from other WiFi and Bluetooth devices.
Yeelight Smart LED Bulb (Color) Full Specifications
Model : YLDP05YL/YLDP06YL Luminous Flux : 800lm Rated Power : 10W Rated Input : 220V-240V ~ 50/60Hz 0.05A (European region) Color Temperature : 1700K-6500K Connectivity : WiFi IEEE 802.11 b/b/n 2.4Ghz Life Expectancy : ~ 25,000 hours Size : 60x60x124mm
What’s Great About This Bulb?
- Energy Saver: The Yeelight Smart LED Bulb (Color version) is for starters. It is an energy-saving light-colored bulb with a power rating of only 10W . My previous non-smart bulb was a regular Philips 7W energy saving bulb, so 10W isn’t very far from what I initially had. Xiaomi estimates you’ll save at least $1.2/year based on 3hrs/day usage and 11 cents/kWh. This bulb is estimated to last 22.8 years based on 3 hrs/day usage calculation. So buy once and forget.
- Adjustable Color: Alright folks, here’s the kicker; you have up to 16 million colors to choose from. Yeah, you heard that right, 16 million color options. Obviously, chances are that you won’t even use 10. Most people are used to white light or various shades of white with different color temperatures. But hey, that won’t stop Technology innovation from reaching for the limits. With the Yeelight, you can switch your light colors to suit your mode. When you wake up, while reading or going to sleep, you can select, with the help of the companion smartphone app, the right color for the moment.
- Scheduling : You can schedule your Yeelights to automatically switch on or off at specific times of the day. Why would you do that? Automate some of these mundane tasks and save time. Well, sometimes you can actually forget to switch on or off the outside security lights for instance. You can now easily set your lights to come on at sunset and turn off at sunrise for instance.
- Remote Access: Have you traveled upcountry and forgot to switch off the bedroom lights? No worries. As long as you have an internet-connected device and the Yeelight bulb is connected to your home Wi-Fi, you can just turn them off from the Yeelight App, Mi home App, or Google Assistant .
- Scenes : You can save the color you want to remember for a particular moment in what Xiaomi/Yeelight calls “Scenes.” You can create different scenes for waking up, going to bed, watching a movie, or a romantic dinner. This is slightly related to the Adjustable Color feature mentioned in #2 above.
Feature Summary
- Adjustable brightness
- Adjustable color temperature
- Different lighting scenes
- Energy saving
- Night Light
- On/Off timer
- Off-Delay timer
- Smart control
- Firmware upgrades
Installation
Installing the Yeelight Smart Bulb is as easy as installing any other bulb. Simply screw it to the lamp holder. Before you do that, however, make sure the power switch is off. Xiaomi recommends that you do not use this bulb with a dimmer switch to avoid damage to your smart bulb. That’s it. You can now use it like a regular bulb. But of course, you want to take advantage of the smart features you get from a smart bulb.
To do that you’ll have to set it up with either the Yeelight app or Mi Home App which are both available from Apple’s App Store or Google Play Store.
No Hub Required
Most smart home devices will need a Central Hub or Gateway to function. This Smarthome Hub works the same way your WiFi router connects all your devices to the internet. Usually, for Xiaomi ecosystem of devices, the Aqara (global) or MiJia (China) Hub is what connects devices together and controls them via the Mi Home App.
However, the Yeelights Smart bulb doesn’t need one — although they can be controlled by the Aqara/Mijia Hub. When integrated with the Hub and other sensors such as Body sensor or Door/Window sensor, then you can create automation “Scenes” where lights go on or off when doors or windows open/closes for instance, or even when someone works into the room.
Without the Hub however, you control the Yeelights from the Yeelight App or Mi Home App. You can schedule them to turn on/off, change color or brightness.
Setup the Bulb with Yeelight App
To set up this bulb with the Yeelight app, make sure you have a WiFi network connected to the internet. I presume your WiFi network is from a router. Make sure the router supports WiFi IEEE 802.11 b/b/n 2.4Ghz or WiFi 4 for simplicity. It’s very likely that your existing router or if you’re using a smartphone hotspot already supports this standard.
From the Yeelight app, tap on the plus sign on the top right corner » Add device » LED bulb (color) » Reset the device (switch the bulb on and off 5 times in a row — 2 seconds on and 2 seconds off until the bulb starts flashing).
Afterward, the Yeelight app will start scanning for available lights. Select the device to add » select WiFi 2.4Ghz network to connect to. If all goes well, your bulb should now be added to the Yeelight app. You can then proceed to name the bulb.
The first thing I usually do is update the firmware to the latest version to take advantage of the latest features. With the Yeelight, you can turn on/off the lights, create scenes, set a timer, create schedules and share light with family and friends.
Yeelight Smart Bulb review: The Yeelight App Interface
Set up with Mi Home App
Setting the Yeelight bulb with the Mi Home App follows almost the same flow as the Yeelight. Start by resetting the bulb as described above. Then tap on the plus sign on the top right corner. Mi Home app will start scanning for available devices. Your Yeelight should be able to show up on the radar. If it doesn’t, then reset it first. When the Yeelight shows up, select it, and connect it to your 2.4Ghz home WiFi. If the connection is successful, then you should name the device and assign it to a specific room. And you’re done.
Yeelight Smart Bulb review: Mi Home App Setup
Setup with Google Assistant
If you don’t use Google Voice assistant at all, here’s a good reason to activate it on your phone. When the Yeelight smart bulb is integrated with Google Assistant, you can control the lights via voice commands. Google Assistant supports various control actions for smart bulbs including turning on/off, dimming or brightening the lights, and changing the light’s temperature and color. When you integrate the Yeelight smart bulb with Google assistant, you can take advantage of this convenience.
Setting up the Yeelight Smart LED Bulb is easier to do when you’ve already added it to the Yeelight app or Mi Home App. Add the device by tapping on the plus icon on the top left corner » Setup device » Works with Google » Choose Mi Home or Yeelight depending on which app you downloaded and set up the Yeelights with » Connect the Mi Home or Yeelight account with Google Home Account.
Yeelight Smart Bulb review: Google Assistant Setup
Resetting the Yeelight Smart LED Bulb
You’ll need to factory reset the Yeelight when you want to set it up with a different platform/app. To do that, use the light switch to turn the light bulb on and off five times (on for two seconds, off for two seconds). For the light bulb (tunable white version), it will be in breathing mode. After 5 seconds, the bulb will automatically reset itself. For this light bulb (color version), it’ll display a circling multi-colored effect, then automatically reset itself and display a white light after 5 seconds. This indicates the bulb has been restored to its factory settings.
Where to Buy the Yeelight Bulb (or Mi LED Smart Bulb)
David Okwii is the Editor-in-Chief of Dignited.com and a seasoned tech enthusiast whose journey began in the early 2000s. He started blogging while at university, diving deep into mobile apps, smartphone reviews, and operating systems—from testing Linux distros to tweaking Windows machines. David also explores Chromebooks, experiments with Raspberry Pi projects, and brings hands-on curiosity to every review. With vast experience in Uganda’s tech ecosystem and deep knowledge of Africa’s startup landscape, he offers informed, grounded perspectives on consumer technology. When he’s not writing or tinkering, David enjoys connecting with nature and exploring the outdoors.
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Talkio Mobile , Uganda’s newest telecommunications service provider, is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Banana Life Investments, a leading chain of mobile phone and retail shops. This strategic alliance aims to bring Talkio’s innovative telecom services closer to Ugandans.
This collaboration will leverage Banana Life Investments’ extensive retail network of 26 stores strategically located across Uganda in major malls, towns, and cities to provide customers with unparalleled convenience. Through this partnership, Talkio Mobile will offer its full suite of services, including SIM cards, airtime, and exclusive product offerings at any Banana Life Investment location.
This partnership is more than a business initiative—it’s a shared commitment to transforming lives. By integrating Talkio Mobile’s forward-thinking services & nationwide reach with Banana Life Investments’ retail footprint, the two brands are setting a new standard for customer convenience and inclusivity.
READ ALSO: 5 Things You Need to Know About Talkio Mobile: New Telecom Company in Uganda
“This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission of connecting Ugandans to innovative and transformative telecom solutions,” said Vianne Allan Ahura, CEO of Talkio Mobile. “By leveraging Banana Life Investments’ trusted presence and nationwide footprint, we are not only expanding our agent network but also bringing our services closer to the communities we serve. This collaboration ensures that our online customers can now enjoy a seamless offline experience right at their doorstep. Together, we are empowering Ugandans with the tools they need to stay connected, grow their businesses, and unlock new opportunities.”
Solomon Ssemuyaba, the assistant general manager at Banana Life Investments, echoed this sentiment: “We are proud to join hands with Talkio Mobile to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions. This partnership represents our shared vision of fostering a connected future for Uganda. Together, we are redefining what convenience and accessibility mean for our customers.”
The partnership goes beyond retail distribution, introducing joint initiatives aimed at value addition and personalized service. Customers can expect seamless access to:
- SIM Card Sales : Available at all Banana Life Investments locations.
- Talkio phone number bookings : Book your preferred Talkio number at any Banana Life Investments location.
- Airtime Services : Recharge easily through in-store purchases.
- Customer Support : Friendly and knowledgeable staff trained to assist with Talkio Mobile products and services.
Additionally, the two companies plan to launch promotional campaigns and expand services to even more locations, ensuring no Ugandan is left behind in the digital transformation.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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The Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona , the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry, has just concluded. This annual event gathers leading technology brands to unveil groundbreaking mobile, AI, and digital solutions innovations. At MWC 2025, TECNO showcased a range of AI-driven products, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge technology.
The key launches included:
- CAMON 40 Series – AI-powered smartphones with One-Tap FlashSnap and advanced mobile imaging features.
- MEGABOOK S14 – The world’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring AI-enhanced multitasking and Snapdragon® X Elite.
- MEGABOOK T14 Air & K15S – Lightweight ultrabooks with AI capabilities and extended battery life.
- TECNO AI Glasses Series – Smart eyewear integrating AI imaging, translation, and AR display.
Jan Stryjak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, shared, “In the past year, we have observed significant advancements in the field of AI. AI will continue to drive transformative changes in our daily lives. In this critical period for the economic development of emerging markets, TECNO’s AI technologies are unlocking potential for diverse needs.”
“The application of AI technologies is crucial and urgent in emerging markets. We’re committed to bridging the digital gap between emerging and mature markets,” said TECNO CMO, Laury Bai. “TECNO is taking a practical approach to make AI more accessible, ensuring users in emerging markets can access AI and cutting-edge technologies.”
Laury Bai, TECNO CMO
Driven by its commitment, TECNO has forged a robust partnership with MediaTek, establishing a joint AI laboratory dedicated to accelerating advancements in AI. At the event, James Chen, Vice President of Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek, emphasized, “The synergistic R&D efforts between TECNO and MediaTek are set to democratize AI technology. Our collaboration powers a seamless, interconnected AI experience, bringing users a future of truly connected intelligence.”
James Chen, Vice President, Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek
CAMON 40 Series Powered by AI One-Tap FlashSnap Revolutionizes Smartphone Snapshot Photography
TECNO’s Global Product Launch Officer, Olivier Mas, officially unveiled TECNO’s next-generation AI-driven products. Attendees at TECNO’s launch event witnessed the highly anticipated debut of TECNO’s new CAMON 40 Series, a device that embodies TECNO’s legacy of excellence in mobile imaging. Featuring One-Tap FlashSnap Mode and TECNO AI, the series sets a new benchmark in smartphone photography, delivering exceptional snapshot capabilities and AI-enhanced user experiences.
Olivier Mas, TECNO Global Product Launch Officer
The CAMON 40 Series exemplifies a commitment to innovation that transcends hardware and software, extending into strategic partnerships that deliver cutting-edge AI solutions to emerging markets. Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud, remarked, “Our collaboration with TECNO on the CAMON 40 Series is a standout example. Leveraging Google Cloud’s capabilities, we’ve introduced groundbreaking features such as Ask Ella, AI Image Generator, AI Writing, and AI Translate. I am particularly impressed by the industry-leading and competitive edge of some of these innovations. For instance, TECNO’s AI supports text translation in 136 languages, voice translation in 44 languages, and photo translation in 51 languages. We are excited to further strengthen our partnership with TECNO, unlocking limitless potential to bring advanced yet practical AI capabilities to emerging markets in a convenient and secure manner.”
Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud
The CAMON 40 Series’ innovative One-Tap FlashSnap leverages AI to enhance imaging capabilities, revolutionizing mobile photography. AI optimizes camera startup and continuous shooting for instant captures, while AI-powered multi-frame processing intelligently reduces noise and enhances details, delivering sharper, more refined images. Additionally, the BestMoment algorithm analyzes motion patterns, automatically selecting the optimal frames for precise, high-quality shots in dynamic scenarios, ensuring users an unparalleled mobile imaging experience.
TECNO CAMON 40 Demonstrates the Cutting-Edge FlashSnap Capability
To delve deeper into the imaging prowess of the CAMON 40 Series, TECNO invited Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK, to share the image performance of CAMON 40 Pro. Frédéric highlighted, “The CAMON 40 Pro 5G has demonstrated exceptional imaging and performance capabilities in our rigorous evaluations. We’ve been particularly impressed with photo performance being the best for devices under 600$, and the 1st eligible device to our Smart Choice Label.”
Onsite photo of Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK
Beyond its advanced rapid-capture functionality, the integration of TECNO AI further enhances the device’s capabilities. Intelligent imaging, a 360° AI Call Assistant, and productivity tools elevate creativity and efficiency. Powered by MediaTek’s latest chipsets, the series ensures smooth performance, fast processing, and extended battery life. With a sleek, durable, and water-resistant design, it seamlessly blends style with practicality for modern users.
MEGABOOK S14, the World’s Lightest 14-inch OLED Laptop, Inspires Creators and Game Lovers
The MEGABOOK S14 is TECNO’s first OLED laptop and the industry’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring a 2.8K OLED display and incredibly weighing only 899g (31.7oz). The laptop is equipped with the outstanding power of the Snapdragon® X Elite compute platform, the flagship chipset for AI PCs from Qualcomm Technologies, and integrates TECNO’s world’s first self-developed edge-side large-scale AI model, to achieve AI-enhanced multitasking.
World’s Lightest 14-inch Laptop MEGABOOK S14
Specifically designed for next-gen AI productivity, TECNO AI enhances the Ella AI Assistant, AI-powered PPT generation, AI-driven image search, smart albums, and offline meeting transcription with multilingual support. The External Graphics Dock, equipped with a powerful NVIDIA graphic card, delivers scalable, high-performance capabilities for design, gaming, and content creation. The laptop’s 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures exceptional visuals, while DTS:X Ultra dual 2W speakers, Wi-Fi 6E, fingerprint login, and PC Manager optimize connectivity and user experience.
TECNO’s strategic partnership with Qualcomm Technologies was a highlight of the TECNO AI Ecosystem Product Launch event, demonstrating a shared vision for the future of AI PCs. Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm, took the stage to discuss the integration of Qualcomm’s cutting-edge PC chipset into the new MEGABOOK S14 laptop, underscoring TECNO’s commitment to delivering high-performance computing solutions.
Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm
In addition, TECNO also introduced several standout new products. The featherlight 999g (35.2oz) ultrabook MEGABOOK T14 Air, features high-speed storage and LPDDR5 memory, while the ultra-thin, all-metal MEGABOOK K15S, equipped with a powerful 70Wh battery and supported by a 65W PD GaN charger, offers a smarter and more long-lasting user experience. Both devices are empowered by TECNO AI with advanced AI capabilities such as AI Album and AI Voice Assistant, making them perfect companions for all aspects of life.
The Next Game-Changing Tech Innovation: See the World with the TECNO AI Glasses Series
TECNO’s new AI Glasses Series also took center stage with the introduction of TECNO AI Glasses Pro and TECNO AI Glasses, reimagining eyewear with cutting-edge imaging, intelligent interactions, and a sleek aesthetic. The TECNO AI Glasses feature an aviator design, while the Pro model showcases a browline style, both embodying timeless elegance and modern fashion.
TECNO AI Glasses Redefine the Way People See the Future
Equipped with a 50MP high-definition camera, the series integrates an OV50D sensor, a 100° ultra-wide-angle custom lens, and an AI ISP imaging chip, forming a mobile-grade imaging system. This system lets users capture stunning, high-resolution photos with advanced AI noise reduction and HDR capabilities. With real-time translation supporting over 100 languages, TECNO AI’s Ella empowers accurate translation even for less common languages, as well as voice control, AI-powered object recognition, and intelligent information summaries for ultimate convenience.
Additionally, the AI Glasses Pro features a MicroLED display with 7th-gen resin waveguide technology, offering a 30° field of view, over 1,500 nits of brightness AR display, and a lightweight, ultra-thin design. The AR display allows users to effortlessly enjoy features like translation display, navigation, information prompts, and teleprompting.
Equipped with a 250mAh battery, these glasses offer over 11 hours of music playback and 8 hours of mixed use with just 30 minutes of charging. An advanced ultra-linear speaker, bass enhancement, and spatial sound deliver an immersive audio experience, while Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 ensure seamless connectivity.
With these innovative launches, TECNO is setting new standards in mobile imaging and AI-enhanced technology, shaping a more connected and empowered future for consumers in emerging markets. Once again, TECNO has showcased its cutting-edge innovation on the global stage at MWC. With the brand essence of “Stop at Nothing”, TECNO’s relentless pursuit of innovation is making AI-powered technology more accessible, allowing consumers to experience the future ahead of time.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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